Envelope-cutter



(No Model.)

J. s. HOLMES.

ENVELOPE GUTTER.

No. 388,872. Patented Sept. 4, 1888.

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JAMES S. HOLMES, OF. BUFFALO, NEVs- YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK ARM- STRONG, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

ENVELOPE-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,872, dated September 4, 1888.

Application filed March 16, 1888. Serial No. 267.312. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: a bend, 17, having a horizontal portion, 18, Be it known that 1, JAMES S. HOLMES, a are secured to the under side of the base by citizen of the United States, residing in Bufmeans of screws 19. (See Fig. 2.) The upper falo, in the county of Erie and State of New ends of these springs are also shown in Fig. 1. 5 5 York, have invented certain new and useful They project up into the openings 20, extend- Improvements in Envelope Gutters, of which ing from the under side of the base up into the the following is a specification. stationary gage-piece 2, so as to leave room My invention relates to devices for cutting for them to act. Their object is to provide a the edges of envelopes, or for opening letters gage against which the edge of an envelope or 10 or other like purposes, and will be fully and other article is placed preparatory to cutting clearly hereinafter described and claimed, refoff a thin strip, and to catch against the back erence being had to the accompanying drawof the cutter 14. and hold its cutting-edge up ings, in whichto the edge of the horizontal cutter 3, and

Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a thereby insure a clean smooth out. 1 side elevation showing a portion broken away, About the center of the device, at the back, so as to expose one of the springs back of the is a rubber block, 21, (shown in Fig. 2, and by vertically-movable cutterand the fastening for dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3,) secured in a rethe adjustable lower stationary cutter; and cess in the usual way in the base 1, and in the Fig. 3 is a top plan view. upper portion, 9, is another similar piece of 2o Thebase lis provided with a stationary gage rubber, 22, secured thereto in the ordinary piece, 2, formed in one piece with it, and the way. Their object is to overcome the effect whole is preferablymade ofcast-iron, although of the blow when the cutter 14. is forced down any other suitable material may be used. At by a blow from the hand while in the act of the front of the base 1 is a stationary horizoncutting. 2 tallyadjustable cutter, 3, made adjustable The uprights 8 may be turned up with solid either forward or'back by means of the slotted heads instead of the nuts 12, and then riveted holes at in the base, (shown in section in Fig. to the base-piate, if desired. 2, and by dotted lines 4 in Fig. 3,) and the In operating with this device an envelope bolt 5 and nut 6. (Shown in Fig. 2.) At the (or other article to have a thin strip cut from 0 front of the baselis a long narrow slot or openthe edge) is slipped under the cutter 14 while ing. 7. (See Figs. 2 and 3.) in the position shown in Fig. 1 until its edge On the back portion of the base 1 are rigidly comes against the portion 16 of the springs in secured two uprights or vertical bars, 8, upon the openings 20, and a blow is struck with'the which is mounted the vertically-movable uphand on the knob 13, which forces the cutter per portion, 9, by means of its two sleeve pordown and cuts OK the strip. The springs 11 tions, 10, which are made to slip over the up then bring the cutter back aguinto its normal rights 8 and are fitted nicely thereon, so as to position, as shown in Fig. 1. As the cutter move easily up or down on them without any comes down it strikes the spring portions 16, perceptible side movement. and is thereby held up to the knife 3, so as to 0 0 At the bottom of the sleeves 10, and surproduce a smooth cut. It will be noticed that rounding the uprights, are spiral springs 11, the cutter 14. is pointed in the center and inone on each upright. The sleeves l0 and porclines upward both ways, so as to give a slidtion 9, forming a part thereof, rest upon the ing cut. springs 11, so as to be supported and held in If desired, the upper portion, 22, may be a 5 45 their highest position, which is limited by the lug of metal projecting out from the back of nuts 12, secured at the top of the uprights. the vertically-movable part 9 and located so The portion 9 is provided at the top with a as to strike on the lower rubber portion, 21, knob or button, 13, and on its lower end or on the base for the purposes above mentioned. side with a knife or cutter, 14, rigidly secured I claim as my invention- 50 thereto by screws 15. A series of springs, 1. An envelope-cutter consisting of the base each having a hook-shaped upper end, 16, and provided with ahorizontai kuife,a gage against which the article to be cut is placed, and two vertical bars provided with springs, upon which is mounted an upper vertically-movable portion carrying a cutting-knife, and a knob by which it, is operated, substantially as described.

2. In an envelopecutter, the combination of the base provided with a stationary cutter, two vertical bars having spiral springs, a movable portion mounted thereon carrying a knife and knob for operating it, and a series of springgages against which the envelope is set to be out, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. An envelope-cutter consisting of a base provided with a horizontal stationary knife,

two vertical bars, each having a spiral spring, in combination with an upper Vertically-movable portion carrying a cutter and knob for operating it, the whole mounted on the vertical bars so as to rest on said springs, and a spring-gage secured to the under side of the base, consisting of a series of springs projecting up through the base and presenting aportion against which the envelopes to be out are set, which springs act as a gage and for holding the movable cutter up to the stationary cutter, substantially as described.

JAMES S. HOLMES. Witnesses:

JAMES SANGSTER, JOHN L. MANN. 

